Filed under: Meal Plans | Tags: crockpot, crockpot chicken, meal plan, meals on a budget, recipes, what's for dinner
Two things I take into consideration when making my meal plan (1) budget and (2) time. Plus–I try to make them somewhat healthy. Now, I can’t say I’m Rachael Ray making a meal under 30 minutes each night, but I do try use some time and money saving tips here and there.
This week I’m using Jenni’s crockpot chicken recipe, only leaving me with rice to cook and zuchini to saute when I get home! Also, I will be making a LARGE batch of meatballs on Wednesday to make Meatball Subs…these will also be used later in the week for Spaghetti and Meatballs, and the rest will be frozen for quick use later in the months to come. Ideally, I would try and make these large batches on the weekends when I have a little more time, but Wednesday it is!
Here’s the plan this week:
Monday– Evening appointments= grab takeout!
Tuesday– Family Night “School Days” (check tomorrow for details)
Wednesday– Meatball Subs, Broccoli Salad, Fruit Cocktail or Fruit Salad.
Thursday– Jenni’s Crockpot Chicken, Rice, Sauteed Zuchini Squash (Green and Yellow)
Friday– (Last Week’s Unused Meal) Spaghetti and Meatballs, Lemon Parmesan Broccoli, Sweet Italian Bread
Saturday– For Lunch: Sandwiches. For Dinner: Beef & Broccoli, Rice, Mandarin/Pineapple Salad
Sunday– For Lunch: Baked Ziti, Spinach & Strawberry Salad with homemade Poppyseed Dressing, Sweet Italian Bread.
Filed under: Healthy Lifestyle, Meal Plans | Tags: busy moms, meal plan, working moms
The best laid plans…right? Last week I posted what I had hoped would be our meal plan for the week, but as like most weeks…the reality was much different.
One of my weaknesses is getting home from work and just not feeling like cooking…and what happened Monday? Yep. You betcha…so we grabbed take-out. My in-laws stayed at our place on Tuesday night to catch an early flight to CA on Wedneday morning, so we grabbed dinner out that night as well. And Friday? Jason and the kids needed haircuts so we enjoyed Monical’s Pizza (which is right next to “the haircut place”).
So as it turns out, I have a couple meals ready to fix for this week! Thanks for the kind words in your comments, but really…there is nothing too gourmet about my meals! I do try to throw some variety in there, because one of the things I learned early on is that I EASILY get into a cooking rut! I find inspiration from a lot of different places…a couple of go-to cookbooks, blogs, online magazines…and word of mouth!
Someone had mentioned to me that she enjoyed seeing someone else’s meal ideas, so I will try and make it a weekly installment. I’ll link to recipes that are available online, and if you are ever curious, just shoot me a comment or email and I’d be happy to share!!!
This week’s meals…coming tomorrow!
Filed under: Family, Healthy Lifestyle | Tags: chicken parmesan, dinner, food, meal plan, working moms
One of the challenges I face as a working mom??? Mealtime! I really enjoy cooking…I use to love watching cooking shows and trying out new recipes. But after a day away from my children, the last thing I want to do is spend a LONG time in the kitchen preparing dinner…let alone many trips to the store for that “forgotten item”. I had been pretty diligent about meal planning, but with the transition and recent move–I’ve gotten away from it. So in hopes of getting back into the habit, here’s a glimpse into what’s for dinner at our house this week! (I usually throw in some very “quick fix” meals for nights we have VERY limited time, and something that can time bake or crock pot too!) Here goes…
Monday- Poppyseed Chicken Casserole, Creamed Peas (never tried these before!), and Apple/Grape/Walnut Salad.
Tuesday- Taco Crescent Bake, Bacon Ranch Green Beans, Mexicorn
Wednesday- Baked Tilapia, Wild Rice, Sugar Snap Peas and Dinner Rolls
Thursday- Grilled Cheese (or Ham/Turkey Melts for the adults), Veggies and Fruit
Friday- Ali’s Chicken Parmesan, Acorn Squash, Salad
Saturday- For Lunch: Cookout on the grill (brats, hot dogs, etc). For Dinner: Italian Beef Sandwiches (in the crock pot all day), Chips and Veggies
Sunday- Spaghetti & Meatballs, Lemon Parmesan Brocoli, Garlic Bread, Leftover Salad. For Dinner: Leftovers!
So…what’s for dinner?
I’m resurrecting Thankful Thursday! So here are ten things I’m thankful for this week.
1. My husband–who isn’t afraid to chase God-sized dreams.
2. Our new home–I absolutely love it…we are blessed.
3. Awesome friends and family that helped us make this move possible!
4. The conversations I get to have with Peyton on the way to “school”…he is so observant to every detail of a conversation.
5. The YUMMY lemon bar I’m about to have for dessert from Baker’s Peak–SO GOOD!
6. My mother-in-law for coming up to help get Abbie to and from school this week while Jason is gone.
7. New friends…and laughter.
8. Getting to cook in my kitchen–and watch the kids in the other room–at the same time!!!
9. The smile my son gives me first thing in the morning…like I’m the best thing he could see (thanks for liking the bed-head).
10. Grey’s Anatomy is coming back next week! Come on…I had to throw that one in there! 
What are you thankful for this week?
Filed under: Family
It’s official…we are now home owners again. It’s kind of strange, because I think I’m more excited about getting this house than I was when we bought our first home!
We got the keys yesterday evening, and we spent the night last night so that I could put the kids to bed and still keep working. I am SO glad that this home is move-in ready, but for those of you that know me, I can’t live in a completely neutral house, so this week will be filled with painting and making it feel like OUR home.
Last night I got the family room painted. I was really unsure of this color at first, but Jason said–take the leap, so we did! I think it turned out pretty well…it feels very warm and inviting. It will be nice when we get our furniture in there (the furniture that is SUPPOSED to be in there–as opposed to the sideboard/current TV stand…LOL). Here’s a picture I tried to have Jason take this morning–it’s not a great pic, but you can kind of get the idea.
I think one of the best things so far about this move happened this morning. Peyton walked into my room when he woke up, and I looked down and asked him, “How was your first night sleeping in your new house?” His response–”It was…perfect”. It was absolutely precious…especially since he never uses that word.
Today I’m still stuck at work while Jason and his mom paint away at the house. I really wish I could be there to help, but I will as soon as 4:30 rolls around. The rest of this week we will all be going to town painting, moving, doing some yard work, and getting settled.
I will try and post some here and there, but you can follow the progress on both of our Twitter accounts…Jason and mine.
Filed under: Family, God, Thoughts | Tags: church plant, Jason Gordon, Lafayette, moving
On many occasions I’ve been asked what it’s like being a minister’s wife…the ways people have approached the subject have been as creative as they are varied. From asking if we feel like we live in a fishbowl to questions like “do people just come up and tell you everything about their life?”. My husband has been in ministry for 10 years, and I LOVE being married to someone who has the opportunity to live out his life passion every day!
Possibly the one “downside” is that when God is working on you and your spouse about where he is leading you…it’s not always possible to talk to those around you about it. That has been the case over the past few months, and I apologize for the random…few-and-far-between posts. When the things that are the center of your conversations at home, and with God…and the things you are so excited about are things that can’t be shared publicly…it makes blogging difficult!
Throughout this past year, Jason and I have been challenged about what God’s calling is for us right now. We have been praying, reading, talking to others in ministry, and praying some more about how God wants to use us in His plan. It has been an amazing process of growth and revelation. I never cease to be amazed at how God reveals Himself to those who are seeking him!
So–since Jason has shared the big announcement on his blog, I will share it here. Beginning September 23rd, Jason will come on staff at Connexion Christian Ministries, a new church plant right here in Lafayette! We will be focused on reaching people who are unreached and connecting those who are unconnected. I can’t tell you how excited I am! We are both so passionate about seeing people come to know Christ and enter into an authentic relationship with Him and those who love Him. And the reality is…there are people right here in our community who will never step foot into a church building because of past hurt or simply the unknown…but God still longs for them to know Him! And as Craig Groeschel said so well…If we want to reach people no one else is reaching, we have to do things no one else is doing. So we will be joining others who have the same passion and calling to do that very thing right here in our community.
Feel free to head over to Jason’s blog to read more details…and I will share a little more about our journey here as the weeks unfold. Please keep us in your prayers…we are closing on our new home on Tuesday and will be working on the house this week in preparation for our move on Saturday. We are also in the process of raising support for the first two months of Jason’s salary. It’s going to be an exciting new adventure…sometimes a little scary…but I love knowing that we are exactly where God wants us to be!!!
